A snow/ice warning has been issued for all of Ireland as Storm Jorge arrives

The weather forecasters are predicting wintry showers of hail, sleet and snow spreading eastwards this morning, which will lead to icy conditions. Later this morning a more persistent band of rain and sleet will cross the country, turning to snow for a time - particularly over the Midlands and north of the country, and over high ground elsewhere. The combination of sleet/snow and strong winds will lead to low visibility and hazardous driving conditions. A number of weather warnings currently remain in place - or are due to come into effect later this afternoon. A status yellow wind warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford - which will see Southwesterly winds of mean speeds 50 to 65km/h on Saturday morning with gusts of 90 to 110km/h expected - will remain in place until 1pm today. A status yellow rainfall warning for Munster, Connacht and Donegal is in place until 11.59pm today. Rainfall accumulations generally between 20mm to 30mm expected over Saturday, with 40mm to 50mm possible in mountainous areas. A status orange wind warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare and Kerry is also currently in place and will end at 3am on Sunday. It will Southwest quickly veering west and later northwest reaching mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h with gusts of 110 to 130km/h. At noon, a status orange wind warning for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo will come into effect. It will end at 3am on Sunday. Met Éireann are predicting Southwest winds quickly veering west and later northwest reaching mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h with gusts of 110 to 130km/h, possibly higher in very exposed areas with an elevated risk of coastal flooding. A status orange wind warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford is in due to come into effect at 1pm. It will end at 7pm, and will see westerly winds reach mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h for a time on Saturday afternoon and early evening with gusts of 110 to 120km/h, possibly higher in very exposed areas. A status red wind warning for Galway and Clare comes into effect at 1pm and will end at 4pm. Very severe winds associated with Storm Jorge on Saturday will see westerly winds will reach mean speeds of 85 to 100km/h in places this afternoon with gusts of 130 to 145km/h, with an elevated risk of coastal flooding.